National Teaching Excellence Award

In 2019 Knowledge Makers was awarded Canada’s only award for excellence in collaborative teaching in post-secondary education: The Alan Blizzard Award.

Knowledge Makers is about growing Indigenous researchers, beginning at the undergraduate level. A network of 42 members plus supporters at TRU have taken steps to expand Indigenous student research significantly. It includes four Indigenous Elders, the executive director of the Office of Indigenous Education, all nine TRU deans and leadership from Open Learning, the TRU library and TRU World.

This TRU initiative at the time of the award was led by Dr. Sereana Naepi (Associate Director, All My Relations Research Network) and Professor Airini (Dean, Faculty of Education and Social Work).

“We approached the award process humbly but intentionally. We believe in the need for Indigenous-led research. The Knowledge Makers team has been recognized for this award—Canada’s only team-teaching excellence award — which is granted once every two years,” Airini said.

“It is our hope that colleagues across Canada may be encouraged to also develop programs in support of Indigenous research and researcher advancement. We look forward to sharing with them and continuing to walk this journey together.”

For 2019 there were the highest number of applications ever for the award. STHLE recognized the Knowledge Makers at an award ceremony in Winnipeg in June. The Alan Blizzard Award highlights excellence in collaborative teaching and learning in post-secondary education.

The award was established in 2000 to encourage, identify and publicly recognize those whose exemplary collaboration in teaching enhances student learning. The award honours Dr. Alan Blizzard, STLHE president from 1987 to 1995, and his convictions about the effectiveness of collaboration in team teaching for student learning. The award seeks to make visible and disseminate scholarship of teaching and learning, based on the values and practices of collaborative teaching.